Allotment Virgin in need of advice

[teresa]

You may find this link helpfull from another A4A member.

http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Indexes/index.htm

[teresa]

[froglets]

Can only really echo what others have said.  My first plot had not been worked past the front 4ft for nearly 10years & had a succession of people come & go after getting disheartened.

It took me 3 years to get it cleared, but in the intervening years I did a little whenever I could & planted robust easily left crops like potatoes. I didn't get too hung up on the fact my plot was weed heaven even between the crops because I knew the proportion of annual to pernicious weeds was swinging in my favour.  You will always get some kind of a crop & initially it may not be as good or as prolific as you'd like, but as things improve, so will the rewards.

Until you get stuck in, it may not be obvious how long it's been "wild".  One or two years worth of weeds on a previously worked plot will come back under control relatively quickly, but if it is a plot from weed hell, just chill.  You will get there.  Honest.

[glosterwomble]

Wow thanks Teresa that almanac link is really good! I've been looking for something like that to let me know when things should be done so that's a big help. Thank you to froglets too for your words of encouragement, I like the way you said "you will get there, honest" that made me feel full of confidence, it's nice to hear other people describe their journey to where they are now and how maybe it's been a struggle but they've got there. I'm not afraid of hard work, it's just nice to have words of encouragement and a bit of advice from people who know more than me!

[cornykev]

:)  Hi womble and good luck, I was where you are now a year ago its hard work but worth it don't take on too much in one go. Mark out a small area to dig at a time you wont believe how much you will do in a few visits, old carpets a godsend and the plastic cover will work wonders. I also bought allotment gardening by Susan Berger on Amazon.co.UK my best buy and my bible tells you everything, about tools, planning, crop rotation, clearing your ground, soil types, etc and the gardening calender is a godsend. Good luck and happy digging.

                     May the corn be with you.

[glosterwomble]

Thanks Cornykev, I'm hoping that I'll suddenly find that a year has passed and I will have got it well on the way to being an organised plot (fingers crossed!) Saturday is the first day!!! Strimmer on the ready!